In a remarkable turn of events, three Austrian nuns in their 80s, who famously left the old people's home where they were placed, have been granted permission to remain at their former convent, Kloster Goldenstein, located in Elsbethen, near Salzburg. However, Church authorities have imposed a significant condition: the nuns must cease their social media activities.
Sister Bernadette, aged 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82, assert that they were removed from the convent against their will in December 2023. With the aid of former students and a locksmith, the trio made their way back to the convent in September, igniting controversy among Church officials. Provost Markus Grasl from Reichersberg Abbey expressed his bewilderment over their decision, urging the nuns to return to the care home.
This heartwarming story has captured the attention of people around the globe, as supporters rallied to provide the nuns with essential resources like food and electricity. Their social media presence has flourished, showcasing their daily lives through videos featuring moments of prayer, lunch gatherings, and even exercise sessions led by Sister Rita, who recently received a pair of boxing gloves. The nuns have attracted nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram and several thousand on Facebook, creating a vibrant online community.
After nearly three months of tension, a spokesperson for Provost Grasl, Harald Schiffl, announced that the nuns could stay at Kloster Goldenstein, but under specific conditions. These stipulations include relinquishing their social media activities and restricting access to the enclosed part of the convent to only those affiliated with the order. In exchange, the nuns will receive medical care and spiritual support from a priest, ensuring their well-being.
As of now, the nuns have not yet agreed to these conditions, leaving their future uncertain. "Now it's up to the sisters," Schiffl stated to the Austrian Press Agency (APA). The BBC has reached out for comments from the nuns regarding their situation.
The three nuns have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to Schloss Goldenstein, which has served as both a convent and a private girls' school since 1877. Notably, the school began accepting boys in 2017 and continues to operate today. Sister Bernadette, whose journey at the school began as a teenager in 1948, even shared a classroom with renowned Austrian actress Romy Schneider, a star of the 1960s and 70s.
Sister Regina joined the convent in 1958, while Sister Rita arrived in 1962. All three nuns have contributed to the school as educators, with Sister Regina notably serving as headmistress. However, the number of nuns has dwindled over the years, leading to a significant transition. In 2022, the Archdiocese of Salzburg and the Reichersberg Abbey, an Augustinian monastery, took over the building, resulting in the official dissolution of the community at the beginning of 2024.
Despite being granted lifelong residency rights contingent on their health and mental capacity, the nuns faced a decision in December 2023 to transfer to a Catholic care home, a move they found distressing. In early September, they reclaimed their place at Kloster Goldenstein, determined to remain. Sister Bernadette poignantly remarked, "Before I die in that old people's home, I would rather go to a meadow and enter eternity that way."
This story of resilience and community support continues to resonate with many, highlighting the profound bond formed among the nuns and their supporters as they navigate the complexities of their situation in the Alpine convent.